696 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



regiment of cavalry from Ireland, some of whom had been captured on 

 their passage. 



The Scotch Highland Battalion occupied the heights of New Ro- 

 chelle. From this place both armies moved toward White Plains, on 

 the 25th of October, 1776. Upon the 29th of January, 1777, General 

 Wooster's division was ordered to New Rochelle. 6 At the east end of 

 the village, a severe skirmish took place between a body of American 

 light horse, under Colonel Moyland, and the Queen's Rangers, com- 

 manded by Lieut. Colonel Simcoe.^ In this affair, Colonel Moyland 

 greatly distinguished himself by beating off the enemy, (who far out- 

 numbered him,) and making good his retreat to Horse Neck. 



The lands of this town are, in general, level and stony; but the soil is 

 very productive, and much of it is a wet loam or clay, good for grass. 

 The soil is also very propitious to the cultivation of fruit trees of all 

 kinds. Most of its unimproved lands are covered with wood and 

 timber : these lie principally on the east and west sides of the town. 

 On the highlands grow chestnut, oak and hickory; on the lower grounds 

 — ash, birch, maple, elm, pine and hemlock, &c. It is also sufficiently 

 watered by springs and brooks. New Rochelle furnishes an extensive 

 list of minerals. Among the most important may be mentioned quartz, 

 drusy, calcedony, agate, jasper, serpentine of almost every variety, and 

 chromate of iron. Hydrate of magnesia and carbonate of magnesia, 

 compact and crystalline, are also found here, according to Mr. 

 Mather. ^ There are several islands in the Sound attached to this town; 

 among others may be enumerated Goat, Maskett's, Hurtleberry, Hew- 

 let's, Locust, Pea and Vaucluse Islands. 



a Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. i:p. 111. 

 b Heath's Mem. 113. 



c Subsequently Governor-General of Canada* 

 d So- Geological Survey of N. Y. 1840, 



